"I can't wear my contacts as long each day as I'd like."

End-of-day discomfort has long been a challenge for contact lens wearers. A real breakthrough in this area is silicone hydrogel lenses. These new-generation soft contacts transmit greater amounts of oxygen to the eye than traditional lenses, and some silicone hydrogels are less prone to dehydration.

Another strategy to combat contact lens-related dry eye is switching to a soft contact lens that has a lower water content than your present lens. High-water lenses sometimes dehydrate more easily in a dry environment, causing discomfort. Your eye doctor also may recommend a brand of soft lens designed specifically to reduce dry eye problems.